Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Columbus and Fort Worth have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbus has a housing index of 82 while Fort Worth sits at 87 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbus costs $240,000 compared to $270,000 in Fort Worth, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbus versus $1,400 in Fort Worth.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbus scores 99 while Fort Worth scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbus (96) are lower than Fort Worth (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbus is $56,590 compared to $62,187 in Fort Worth. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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